DOTC to cooperate in probe on alleged extort try

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) will cooperate in any inquiry that would shed light on the allegation of Czech Ambassador Josef Rychtar that a group led by Metro Rail Transit 3 general manager Al Vitangcol III tried to extort money from the Czech-based company Inekon Group.

Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya gave the assurance, saying they are keen on discovering the truth behind the alleged extortion attempt.

He said they are also interested in the testimonies of private individuals implicated in the extortion attempt, including Wilson de Vera, Manolito Maralit and Mario dela Cruz.

“We welcome that. We tried to invite him (De Vera) for the administrative investigation. But since he was a private individual we cannot summon and subpoena him,” he said.

Abaya said the DOTC repeatedly invited De

Vera and the other private individuals involved in the alleged extortion attempt, but to no avail.

“Being purely voluntary he (de Vera) didn’t participate in our investigation. We would be very interested in what he can reveal as regards to the case,” he said.

Rychtar claimed Vitangcol and his group tried to extort $30 million from Inekon Group two years ago, when the company expressed interest to supply new coaches for MRT 3.

DOTC spokesman Michael Arthur Sagcal earlier said it is better to wait for the results of the investigation being conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

He said the agency has cleared Vitangcol due to the absence of a formal complaint.

“Given his refusal to formalize his complaint, we should await the result of the NBI’s investigation instead, since it is the proper agency to look into the issue,” he added.

The DOTC had denied Rychtar’s accusation that the government did not act on the extortion complaint against Vitangcol.

“It is not true that no action was taken. The DOTC conducted an administrative investigation into the matter,” he said.